Applicator for paint and the like



June 18, 1968 F. P. WARNER ET AL 3,388,415

APPLICATOR FOR PAINT AND THE LIKE Filed June 2 Sheets-Sheet l &

IIIAIIIIIIJ 3 3 /5 FREDERICK F? M/QNER INVENTORS Fig.3

June 1968 F. P. WARNER ET AL 3,388,415

APPLICATOR FOR PAINT AND THE LIKE Flleci June 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 an.m.

'lllllllllllllllll! lllllllllllll' ffiiiiiilim' J 6 1g l- I g i 3 Q 57..m -r43 INVENTORS T'TORN E Y5 United States Patent 3,388,415 APPLICATORFOR PAINT AND THE LIKE Frederick P. Warner and Yoshimi Matsuura,Minneapolis, Minn, assignors to Warner Manufacturing Company,Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Filed June 2, 1967, Ser.No. 643,264 14 Claims. (Cl. -233) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Anapplicator for paint, varnish and the like, utilizing an applicatorsheet of fabric having a work surface engaging carpet-like pile ofupstanding filaments or threads, a resilient cushion backing on thefabric sheet, a holder for the sheet, and means on the holder forremovably anchoring the applicator sheet and cushion on the holder.

Background of the invention Heretofore, applicators generally of theabove-mentioned variety, have utilized cement for permanently mountingthe applicator sheet on a holder. After use, such applicators, withtheir handle-equipped mountings are discarded, resulting in a waste ofmaterials. An example of this type of applicator is disclosed in UnitedStates Patent No. 2,156,270. Other similar applicators utilize means forreleasably mounting applicator elements on a holder, such being shown inUnited States Patents Nos. 2,810,148 and 2,975,453. In the former, theapplicator is slidably mounted on a holder, no means being provided forholding the applicator sheet against sliding movement relative to theholder. In the latter, one modification utilizes the holder as a clampengaging the cushion pad of the applicator, necessitating a cushion ofconsiderable thickness.

Summary of the invention The device of this invention utilizes areleasable holding arrangement for the applicator sheet, by means ofwhich the applicator sheet may be quickly and easily mounted on theholder in a taut or stretched condition, and as quickly and easilyremoved therefrom for cleaning or replacement and, when mounted on theholder, is securely held against movement relative to the holder. Tothis end, we provide, a generally rectangular flexible applicator sheetincluding a backing and filament pile on one side of the backing, anormally flat resilient cushion on the other side of the backing andrigid stiffening strips on opposite longitudinal side edges of the sheetand extending longitudinally thereof. The holder for the sheet comprisesa plate having a handle thereon and defining a stiffening strip engagingchannel at one longitudinal side edge thereof, an applicatorsheet-engaging and tightening member pivotally connected to the plateadjacent opposite longitudinal side thereof, and means for releasablylocking the member in a sheet tightened position of its pivotalmovement. Means is further pfovided for holding the applicator sheetagainst movement in directions longitudinally of the plate.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the invention,and in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughoutthe several views:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of an applicator for paint and the likeproduced in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in top plan, some parts being broken away andsome parts being shown in section;

FIG. '3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse section, takensubstantially on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view in top plan of the applicator sheet and cushion, on areduced scale;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in top plan of a modified form of theinvention; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged transverse section, taken on the line 6-6 of FIG.5, some parts being broken away.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the numeral1 indicates, in its entirety, an applicator sheet of flexible material,such as woven fabric, the applicator sheet 1 being generally rectangularin form, having laterally spaced side edge portions 2 and 3, andlongitudinally spaced parallel ends 4. The corners of the sheet 1 arecut away to provide generally rectangular notches 5, and the sideportions 2 and 3 are provided with cross sectionally U-shapedreinforcing or stiffening strips 6, preferably made from sheet metal orthe like, the strips 6 and adjacent side edge portions 2 and 3 having ashorter longitudinal dimension than the maximum longitudinal dimensionof the applicator sheet 1. The outer or working surface of theapplicator sheet 1 comprises a pile or nap 7 of the filaments or threadsfor holding paint or the like to be applied to a work surface. Arectangular cushion or pad 8 of sponge rubber or foam plastic materialis adhered to the inner surface of the applicator sheet 1 intermediatethe side edge portions 2 and 3 thereof, see FIG. 4.

A holder for the applicator sheet 1 comprises a generally rectangularplate 9 having an angularly disposed stem or shank 10 welded thereto,and a tubular handle member 11 mounted on the shank 10. One longitudinalside edge portion of the plate 9 is bent upwardly and laterally inwardlyto provide a flange 12 disposed in overlying spaced parallelrelationship to the underlying top s'urface portion of the plate 9, andcooperates with said underlying portion to define a laterally inwardlyopening recess or channel for reception of one of the stiffening strips6 and the adjacent side edge portion 2 or 3 of the applicator sheet 1.The plate 9 is pierced and formed to provide a pair of upstanding earsl3, portions of which underlie and support the inturned flange 12 atopposite end portions thereof. The ears 13 are spaced apartlongitudinally of the plate 9 a distance substantially equal to thelongitudinal dimension of either of the stiffening strips 6, whereby tolimit movement of the strips 6 and adjacent side edge portion of thesheet 1 received therebetween, longitudinally of the plate 9.

The longitudinal side edge portion of the plate 9, 0pposite the inturnedflange 12, is formed to provide a longitudinally extending lip 14 whichslopes upwardly and laterally outwardly with respect to the plane of theplate 9. Laterally inwardly of the lip 14, the plate 9 is further formedto provide an inverted cross-sectionally generally V-shaped ridge 15that extends longitudinally of the plate 9, parallel to the side edge 16of the lip 14. The plate 9 is pierced and formed to provide a pair ofupwardly projecting bearing lugs 17 that are spaced apart longitudinallyof the plate 9 a distance equal to the spacing of the ears 13, the lugs17 being substantially aligned with the ears 13, for reception of theopposite stiffening strip 6 and adjacent side edge portion 2 or 3 of theapplicator sheet 1. An elongated sheet engaging and stretching member 18extends longitudinally of the plate 9, and is provided at its oppositeends with longitudinally projecting shaft portions 19 that projectthrough axially aligned apertures 20 in the bearing lugs 17. Theapertures 20 are disposed in overlying spaced relationship to the apexof the ridge 15. Preferably, the member 18 is made from sheet metal,folded along its longitudinal axis to provide a pair of angularlydisplaced side or Wing portions 21 and 22, the shaft portions 19projecting longitudinally from the side portion 21. The side portion 21has longitudinally extend ing sheet-engaging edge 23 parallel to theapex of the ridge 15 and top surface of the plate 9, the edge 23 movmglaterally over the ridge 15 during swinging movements of the member 18about the axis of the shaft portions 19. The apex of the ridge isnormally disposed in the path of movement of the edge 23, the top plate9 having sufl cient resilience adjacent the ridge 15, so that the apexof the ridge is deflected by the edge 23 to permit movement of the edge23 over the apex of the ridge 15 under forced swinging movement of themember 18. The side or wing portion 22 of the member 18 is forced alongits outer edge 24 to provide a pair of raised arcuate portions thatdefine finger-receiving notches for facilitating movement of the member18 in one direction.

Mounting of the applicator sheet 1 on the holder is quickly and easilyaccomplished by first inserting one of the stiffening strips 6 with itsadjacent side edge portion 2 or 3 into the recess or channel defined bythe flange 12, underlying portion of the top plate 9, and ears 13, withthe pile or nap 7 facing downwardly toward the top surface of the plate9. The applicator sheet 1 is then wrapped around the top surface of theflange 12, and adjacent side edge of the plate 9, and moved intounderlying relationship with the plate 9, wherein the cushion 8 willengage the bottom surface of the plate 9. The opposite or free edgeportion of the applicator sheet 1, with its stiffening strips, is thenwrapped around the side edge 16 of the lip 14, and inserted laterallyinwardly between the ridge 15 and the overlying sheet-engaging andstretching member 18, the member 18 being disposed in its dotted lineposition of FIG. 3. The member 18 is then rotated in a clockwisedirection with respect to FIG. 3, to its full line position thereof, thesheet-engaging edge 23 moving beyond a dead center relationship with theapex of the ridge 15 while engaging the adjacent side edge portion ofthe 89-. plicator sheet, pulling the sheet to a taut or stretchedcondition and securing locking said edge portion therehetween and theridge 15. The outer edge 24 of the member side portion 22 pressesdownwardly against the underlying portion of the applicator sheet 1 tofurther clamp the same against movement relative to the top plate 9. Theears 13 and bearing lugs 17 positively hold the applicator sheet 1against movement longitudinally of the plate 9. When it is desired toremove the applicator sheet 1 from the holder, the operator inserts theends of two fingers into the recesses formed by the arcuate memberportions 25 and rotates the member 18 in a counterclockwise directionwith rcspect to FIG. 3, to its dotted line position of FIG. 3, whereuponthe adjacent portion of the applicator sheet may be withdrawn, and thesame removed from the holder. It will be noted that the edge 23 isdisposed relative to the apex of the ridge 15, that when the member 18is rotated from its inoperative applicator shectreceiving dotted lineposition of FIG. 3 to its operative full line locking posit-ion thereof,the engaged portion of the applicator sheet is squeezed very tightlybetween the edge 23 and apex of the ridge 15. When the member 18 is inits fully operative locking position, this squeezing action is slightlyrelieved, but the member 18 continues to exert suflicient clampingpressure upon the engaged portion of the applicator sheet 1 toeffectively anchor the same against accidental movement.

The modified form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 includesan applicator sheet 26 that is identical to the applicator sheet 1except that the applicator sheet 26 is devoid of corner notches, such asthe notches 5 of the applicator sheet 1. Like the applicator sheet 1,the sheet 26 is provided with pile filaments 27, a resilient rubber-likebacking cushion 28, and longitudinally extended cross sectionallygenerally U-shaped stiffening member 29 at the opposite side edges ofthe sheet 26. The applicator sheet folder of FIGS. 5 and 6 comprises anelongated generally rectangular plate 30 having one longitudinal sideedge portion bent upwardly and laterally inwardly to provide a flange 31similar to the flange 12. As shown in FIG. 6, the plate 38 is crosssectionally arcuate but may, if desired, be made in flat form in themanner of the plate 9. A tubular handle 32 is provided with a shank 33having an angularly displaced portion 34 that is spot welded orotherwise rigidly anchored to the central portion of the plate 30,whereby the tubular handle 32 projects angularly upwardly and laterallyof the plate 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the outer end of the tubular handle32 is provided with internal threads 35 for screw threaded reception ofa handle extension, not shown.

Intermediate the flange 31 and the opposite longitudinal side edge 36,the plate 30 is formed to provide a longitudinally extending angularlydisplaced portion 37 and a generally upwardly offset longitudinal sideedge portion 38. The angularly displaced portion 37 is pierced toprovide a pair of longitudinally spaced outer slots 39 adjacent oppositeend portions of the plate 30 and a pair of longitudinally spaced innerslots 40 intermediate the outer slots 39. The outer slots 39 are shapedto provide lateral extension portions 41, see FIG. 5.

An elongated plate-like applicator sheet engaging and tightening member42 is bent upwardly and laterally inwardly along one longitudinally sideedge portion to provide a laterally inwardly projecting flange 43similar to the flange 31, and cooperating with the underlying portion ofthe member 42 to define a laterally inwardly opening longitudinallyextending recess for reception of the stiffening member 29 opposite thatreceived in the channel formed by the flange 31 and underlying portionof the plate 30. The member 42 has a longitudinal inner edge 44 whichlies along the under surface of the angularly displaced portion 37, themember 42 being formed to provide a pair of longitudinally outer tabs 45each projecting through a respective one of the outer slots 39, and apair of longitudinally spaced inner tabs 46, each of which projectsthrough a respective one of the inner slots 40. The tabs 45 are providedat their opposite longitudinal ends with cars 47 that are initiallydisposed at substantially right angles to the plane of the plate 42 andtabs 45, whereby to permit the tabs 45 and 46 to be inserted throughtheir respective slots 39 and 40, the ears 47 moving through the lateralslot extensions 41. When the tabs 45 and 46 are moved through theirrespective slots, to their positions shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the ears 47are bent outwardly and downwardly toward the plane of the cars 45, toprevent removal of the member 42 from the plate 30. As shown in FIG. 6,the member 42 thus becomes mounted on the plate 30 for swinging movementbetween a depending applicator sheet loading and unloading position,shown by dotted lines in FIG. 6, and an applicator tightening positionin the arcuate plane of the plate 30 against the undersurfaee of theoflset edge portion 38. The edge portion 38 is upwardly offset from themain body portion of the plate 30 a distance substantially equal to thethickness of the member 42, so that the member 42 becomes substantiallyan extension of the plate 30 when in its operative sheet-tighteningposition in which the channel defined by the flange 43 opens slightlyabove the plane of the plate 30 and in opposed relationship to thechannel defined by the flange 31.

Means for releasably locking the member 42 in its applicator sheettightening and stretching position comprises a rotary latch 48 pivotallymounted on the offset edge portion 38, as indicated at 49, for movementsinto and out of the channel defined by the flange 43 and underlyingportion of the member 42. The latch 48 is formed to provide an upwardlyprojecting handle portion 50 by means of which rotary movement may beimparted to the latch 48.

The member 42 is punched or otherwise formed to provide a plurality oflongitudinally spaced downwardly projecting hollow teeth 51 that becomeembedded in the cushion 28 of the applicator sheet 26, when the member42 is moved to its full line sheet tightening position of FIG. 6,whereby to securely anchor the applicator sheet 26 against movementlongitudinally of the plate 30.

While we have shown and described a commercial embodiment of ourimproved applicator, and one modification thereof, it will be understoodthat the same is capable of further modification without departure fromthe spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An applicator for paint and the like comprising:

(a) a generally rectangular flexible applicator sheet including abacking and a filament pile on one side of said backing,

(b) a normally fiat rectangular resilient cushion on the opposite sideof said backing and secured thereto,

() a rigid stiffening strip at one side edge of said applicator sheetand extending longitudinally thereof,

(d) and a holder for said sheet and including,

(1) a generally rectangular plate having laterally spaced longitudinalside edges, a cushion-engaging bottom surface, a top surface, and handlemeans connected to the top surface,

(2) stiffening strip securing means adjacent one side edge of saidplate,

(3) a sheet engaging and tightening member,

(4) means mounting said member on said plate adjacent the opposite sideedge thereof for swinging movements on an axis parallel to the sideedges of said plate and in one direction to stretch said sheet in adirection transversely of said plate,

(5) and means for releasably holding said member against swingingmovement in the opposite direction.

2. The applicator defined in claim 1 in which said stiffening stripsecuring means comprises an edge portion of said plate folded intooverlying spaced relationship with said sheet and cooperating therewithto provide a laterally inwardly opening channel for reception for saidstiffening strip.

3. The applicator defined in claim 2 in which said sheet engaging andstretching member defines a clamping edge parallel to the top surfaceand to the adjacent side edge of said plate and movable toward and awayfrom said top surface.

4. The applicator defined in claim 3 in which said means mounting thesheet engaging member comprises a pair of bearing lugs projectingupwardly from said plate and journalling opposite ends of said memberfor rotation on an axis parallel to said clamping edge. 1

5. The applicator defined in claim 4 in which said plate is formed toprovide a pair of rip-standing ears adjacent opposite ends of saidchannel, said ears engaging said folded-over edge portion to maintain apredetermined spaced relationship between said folded over edge portionand the underlying plate.

6. The applicator defined in claim 5 characterized by a secondstiffening strip on the side edge of said sheet opposite saidfirst-mentioned stiffening strip, said strips and the adjacent side edgeportions of said sheet being of a length to be received between saidupstanding ears and bearing lugs respectively, said ears and lugslimiting movement of said sheet relative to said plate in directionslongitudinally of said stiffening strips.

7. The applicator defined in claim 2 in which the side edge portion ofsaid plate opposite said channel is bent to slope upwardly and laterallyoutwardly with respect to the plane of said plate.

'8. The applicator defined in claim 7, in which said means forreleasably holding said member comprises a sheet engaging ridgeprojecting upwardly from said top surface of the plate and extending ina direction parallel to the adjacent side edge of the plate, said memberhaving a longitudinal sheet engaging edge parallel to said ridge andmovable laterally thereover responsive to swinging movement of themember, said ridge having its apex normally disposed in the path ofmovement of said sheet-engaging edge, said plate having sufficientresiliency adjacent said ridge so that the ridge is deflected by saidedge during forced movement thereof over said apex.

9. The applicator defined in claim 1, characterized by cushion engagingelements anchoring said applicator sheet against movement longitudinallyof said top plate.

10. The applicator defined in claim 1, in which said sheet-engaging andstretching member is disposed for swinging movement between anapplicator sheet release position angularly displaced below the plane ofthe bottom surface of said plate, and a sheet stretching positionsubstantially in the plane of said plate, said plate having a memberengaging stop portion adjacent said opposite side edge limiting swingingmovement of said member in a sheet stretching direction.

11. The applicator defined in claim 10, in which said sheet engaging andstretching member has a longitudinal edge portion folded laterally todefine an applicator sheet receiving channel extending longitudinally ofsaid plate, characterized by a second stiffening strip at the other sideedge of said applicator sheet receivable in said channel, said channelopening laterally inwardly toward said one side edge of the plate abovethe top surface of the plate when said member is in engagement with saidstop portion.

12. The applicator defined in claim 11, in which said means forreleasably holding said member comprises a latch pivotally mounted onone of said plate and member for latching engagement with the other ofsaid plate and member.

13. The applicator defined in claim 11, in which said means forreleasably holding said member comprises a latch pivotally mounted onsaid plate for movements into and out of said channel.

14. The applicator defined in claim 10, characterized by sheet-engagingtooth means on said member operatively engaging said cushion when saidmember is moved to its sheet stretching position to positively hold thesheet against movement longitudinally of said member and plate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 402,570 5/1889 Davis 15231556,652 3/1896 Waddel 15-233 1,140,001 5/1915 Runge. 1,173,692 2/1916Watkins 15-233 1,858,899 5/1932 Montbriand 5l37l 2,402,069 6/ 1946Minnick et al. 51-392 XR 2,419,748 4/1947 Weber et al. 1S--233 XR2,809,476 10/1957 Bourdunis 51-392 XR DANIEL BLUM, Primary Examiner.

